Celtics forward Glen Davis (left) and Heat forward LeBron James (GETTY IMAGES)

Basketball players have been referred to as the greatest athletes in the world. In the NBA, you see superbly conditioned athletes soar to the basket and throw down rim-rattling dunks or muscle past two or three defenders. Sometimes we marvel so much at these super beings that we, as fans, wonder how pro basketball players would do in another realm, such as pro football.

Because of the ongoing NBA lockout – and it seems like there won’t be any NBA games in the fall – I thought it would interesting to put together a football team comprised of current NBA players. Who knows? If the lockout persists, some of these guys may consider this crazy idea and apply for a job in the NFL. This concept has been written in the past, but not in the context where each NBA player is assigned a football position. So, without further ado, here is my 25-man, NBA-inspired gridiron gang:

QUARTERBACK

Rajon Rondo (6-1, 171)

– If Allen Iverson was still in the Association this would be an easy choice. Iverson was an all-state quarterback in high school and was considered a Michael Vick-type talent in the state of Virginia. But since A.I. is currently out of the NBA the next best option is Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. Here’s a little fact about Rondo: he was interested in football first before his mother steered him towards basketball because she felt the sport would be less punishing on her son’s skinny frame. When mom says “no” you have to comply. To play quarterback you must be a fearless leader and a high pain threshold. Rondo showed his fortitude when he dislocated his elbow during a playoff game against the Miami Heat last season and came back to finish the game, basically playing with one arm. Here’s another fact about Rondo: he can throw the football. We have visual evidence.

RUNNING BACKS

Derrick Rose (6-1, 190)

– Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said he knew Curt Warner could play running back for him after watching him in a pickup basketball game. Paterno says if you can run, plant, cut, and change direction quickly on the basketball court then you can play running back on the football field. In terms of changing gears without skipping a beat, very few players in the world can match the Chicago Bulls’ superstar guard.

Deron Williams (6-2, 209)

– Williams attended The Colony High School in Texas, and we all know football is king in the state of Texas. D-Will was also a highly touted wrestler as a youngster, so he is no stranger to using leverage and doesn’t shy away from contact. At 209 pounds, Williams could be a very capable tailback in the NFL.

TIGHT END

LeBron James (6-8, 255)

– The tight end position is where basketball players seem to have the most success on the football field. Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham and Tony Gonzalez were power forwards in college before they were drafted as tight ends in the NFL. LeBron was an all-state wide receiver at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio, but he would be better served as a tight end because he would be an absolute nightmare to cover for any linebacker or safety. On running plays, LeBron can use his 255-pound frame to block on the edges. As long as the games are not close in the fourth quarter, LeBron make an excellent every-down tight end. Look away Cavaliers fans. This next video is going to be tough to stomach.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Matt Barnes (6-7, 226)

– The Los Angeles Lakers forward was a former all-state wide receiver at Del Campo High School (Calif.) so he can definitely play the position. Barnes is a tough player who doesn’t mind getting dirty. He should be a perfect candidate to go over the middle and catch passes in tight zones. Barnes may not be Hines Ward in terms of blocking, but he’ll irritate the heck out of the opposing defensive backs.

Gerald Wallace (6-7, 220)

–Anyone with a nickname like “Crash” could definitely play football. Wallace is known for his high energy and reckless style, which are two football attributes. He has the speed to catch the deep ball – and we know he can jump – and he’s tough enough to make plays over the middle. Wallace, who spent just one year at the University of Alabama, could have been a Julio Jones-type player for Nick Saban.

KICK RETURNER

Darren Collison (6-0, 160)

– The Indiana Pacers’ guard is an absolute blur on the court, able to change gears without losing any speed. Collison can thank his parents for his sprinter’s speed as both were former elite track runners from Guyana.  If it were not for his undying devotion to the game of basketball, Collison easily could have been running track instead of running point.

KICKER

Kobe Bryant (6-6, 205)

– We all know Kobe played soccer when he was in Italy. He follows the sport religiously and has, on more than one occasion, displayed his soccer skills on the pitch. NFL kickers are all soccer-style kickers. Given enough practice and proper technique, Kobe should be able to pick up the nuances of kicking field goals. Kobe is a perfectionist, so if this challenge was presented in front of him he will attack it like a Black Mamba. Because so many football games are won or lost with last-second field goals, who better to put in clutch situations than Kobe Bryant.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Kevin Love (6-10, 260)

Al Horford (6-10, 245)

DeJuan Blair (6-7, 270)

Luis Scola (6-9, 245)

Kris Humphries (6-9, 240)

– Blocking in football is similar to setting screens in basketball, except when you use both hands on a screen you’ll get called for a foul. All five of the players mentioned above can all set good picks. But more importantly, each player plays with a bit of a nasty streak, which comes in handy when you need to get a first down on fourth-and-1. San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair played for Jamie Dixon at Pitt. Blair earned a reputation of having a football player’s mentality while competing in the rugged Big East Conference. Blair runs very well despite his big frame and you don’t have to worry about him tearing his Anterior Cruciate Ligament because he doesn’t have one. Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, who led the NBA in rebounding in 2010-11, has good size and extremely good hands, which will help him grab an oncoming speed rusher. Kris Humphries’ father, William, played football at the University of Minnesota so you know Kris has been exposed to his share of football games as a youngster. As an added bonus, Kris is married to Kim Kardashian so he certainly knows how to protect a backside. Atlanta Hawks center/forward Al Horford and Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola have little football background but both are bulldogs and won’t back down from anyone.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Glen Davis (6-8, 295)

– Can’t think of a better anchor on defensive line than Celtics power forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who has always bragged that he could play in the NFL. Who’s gonna argue with a 295-pound man? Not me. But Davis’ claim is not a stretch. He was a terrific two-way football player at University Laboratory High School in Baton Rouge, starring at defensive end, defensive tackle and tailback. Yes, tailback! He scored 15 touchdowns his junior year in high school so he could be a tremendous goal-line back. But Big Baby hung up his cleats for good when he received a basketball scholarship from LSU. Watch Davis’ football highlight tape (he’s No. 66).

Kendrick Perkins (6-10, 275)

– Perkins is Davis’ former Celtics teammate and currently wears the Oklahoma City Thunder colors. Big Perk has a scowl only a mother could love, and that’s probably why he is among the league leaders in technical fouls. Any NFL coach would love to have almost 600 pounds of mass in Big Baby and Perk in the middle of a defensive line. It would be like moving two giant boulders.

Dwight Howard (6-11, 265)

– The Orlando Magic all-star center has the size, strength and agility that would make any defensive line coach drool. Howard’s freakish athleticism is suited at defensive end. He can rush the passer and, using his 40-inch vertical leap, bat down any ball that comes his way. He would be absolutely intimidating if he could only wipe that big smile off his face.

Zach Randolph (6-9, 260)

– Zach Randolph played for Michigan State taskmaster Tom Izzo. If you know Coach Izzo, he runs basketball practice like football practice. Z-Bo is a double-double machine for the Memphis Grizzlies. On the football field, he could command double teams.

LINEBACKERS

Ron Artest (6-7, 250)

– In building a defense, you start with a nasty, punch-you-in-the-mouth middle linebacker. With that in mind, can you name anyone crazier in the NBA than Ron Artest? I think not. He may have recently changed his name to Metta World Peace, but there is absolutely nothing peaceful about the man who calls his record label TruWarier.

Chuck Hayes (6-6, 238)

– Chuck Hayes may no longer fit the profile of a great athlete because he has become such a brute force inside for the Rockets, but when he was at Modesto Christian High School (Calif.) Hayes was recruited by UCLA, Oregon State, Notre Dame and Michigan to play college football. “I was LeBron before LeBron,” boasted Hayes, who played quarterback, wide receiver and safety in high school. However, college recruiters wanted the Rockets forward/center to play tight end, and Hayes said he didn’t like to get hit or never had the desire to block so he chose to play basketball for the University of Kentucky instead.

Tyler Hansbrough (6-9, 250)

– Nobody questions Tyler Hansbrough’s grit. During a heated game against rival Duke, the former North Carolina All-American busted his nose and had blood dripping down his face. But that wasn’t enough to knock him out of the game as the man known as Psycho T kept on playing and didn’t miss a beat. Dick Butkus would have been proud.

CORNERBACKS

Nate Robinson (5-8, 200)

– Nate the Great is the only player on this entire list who actually play college football. Robinson played point guard in basketball and cornerback in football for the University of Washington. Robinson is a physically gifted athlete who can run all day and is built like granite. He is such a well-conditioned athlete that he could probably be a good two-way player.

Robinson’s reputation as a football stud didn’t get lost with Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who invited him to Seahawks camp this year. Robinson didn’t show up, but he may have to revisit that offer if the 2011-12 NBA season is wiped out.

Tony Allen (6-4, 213)

– Grizzlies guard Tony Allen is one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the NBA and could transition into a solid man-to-man cover corner. In 2005, Allen was charged with aggravated battery stemming from an altercation outside a restaurant in Chicago. Police charges? Battery? Altercation? Sounds like Allen has a little bit of Pacman Jones in him.

SAFETIES

Russell Westbrook (6-3, 190)

– Westbrook is considered one of the fastest players in basketball, and he could certainly give Philadelphia Eagles speedster DeSean Jackson a run for his money in the 40-yard dash. The ultra-quick Oklahoma City guard can cover a lot of ground, making him an ideal candidate to play free safety.

Dwyane Wade (6-4, 220)

– Before he became a full-time hoopster, Wade played wide receiver and defensive back for high school football powerhouse Richards High in Oak Lawn, Ill. Wade has the size to make plays at the line of scrimmage, and he can certainly outjump and outrun a lot of NFL receivers and tight ends. Wade grew up watching the Chicago Bears as a youth so you know he’s familiar with the Monsters of the Midway.

PUNTER

Steve Nash (6-3, 178)

– When Nash attended St. Michaels University School near Victoria, British Columbia, he starred in soccer and didn’t gravitate to basketball until he was 13. He showcased his soccer skills during the 2007 NBA All-Star game in Las Vegas when he aided then Phoenix Suns teammate Amar’e Stoudemire in the dunk contest. Nash can be a field-goal kicker or punter, but since we already have Kobe at kicker, Nash will have to channel his inner Ray Guy.

There you have it. A 25-man football team comprised of current NBA players. Since Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen owns the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, he is the right man to sign the checks for this fantasy football team. We should also ask Mr. Allen to end the lockout so we don’t have to write about silly topics such as “NBA players who could play in the NFL.”

Joel Huerto is the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter @onemanfastbreak.

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Kobe Bryant is all smiles after his Lakers defeated the Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. (NBAE/GETTY IMAGES)

Kobe or LeBron?

It’s a debate that has sounds ridiculous at this point because one of them is sitting at home planning field trips to Chicago, New York and Miami, while the other is making reservations for the NBA Finals.

The more we watch Kobe Bryant, the more we begin to realize that the title of “Best Player in Basketball” clearly belongs to him at this point in time. Sure, LeBron James put together an outstanding 2009-10 season and deserves to be in the MVP debate, but the conversation starts and ends with Bryant.

The bottom line is this: Kobe is simply head and shoulders better than anyone else in the sport. He is the most decorated player in the league in terms of records and accomplishments, he’s without peer when it comes to pure basketball skill, he has an incredible drive, toughness, focus and determination, and no player in the league is more feared at the end of the game than The Black Mamba.

Just ask Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry.

“Every time we got it close, Kobe made an incredible tough shot that is well defended,” said Gentry, whose team lost 4-2 in the Western Conference finals because they simply couldn’t hold Bryant in check.

In six games against the Suns, Bryant averaged 33.7 points and shot 52% from the field and 43% from the 3-point line. And in the series-clinching Game 6, he scored nine points in the final three minutes to fend off a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Suns.

“I’ve always been a big fan of his, and he knows that, and I’ve always thought he’s the best player in basketball,” said Gentry. “He didn’t do anything in this series against us that made me think otherwise. As a matter of fact, it probably solidified my thought process that he’s the best player in basketball right now.”

Better than, dare I say, Michael Jordan?

“Now, I’m not going to get into that. I might work for the Bobcats some day,” Gentry said. “All I’m saying, at this time right now, he’s the best player in basketball. It’s not even close.”

Kobe Bryant gives Suns coach Alvin Gentry a stare after knocking down a fadeaway shot near the Phoenix bench during Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. (NBAE/GETTY IMAGES)

When you think about it, Bryant has been the best in the league since 2006. That was the year he averaged a mind-boggling 35 points per game and lit up Toronto for 81 points. But, for some reason, voters gave Steve Nash the MVP that year and the following year the same voters gave Dirk Nowitzki the nod.

Bryant finally got the media’s attention in 2008 when he collected his first – and only – league MVP trophy. But the past two seasons, basketball writers have developed such a man crush on LeBron that Bryant has become almost an afterthought and didn’t receive a single first-place vote. Are you kidding me? We’re talking about the reigning Finals MVP and undisputed best closer in the game. He pulled the Lakers out of the jaws of defeat six times during the regular season. Six times!

“Kobe’s so good he makes incredible normal for us,” says Laker teammate Lamar Odom.

After the Suns cut the Lakers lead to three at the 2:19 mark in the fourth quarter of Game 6, Bryant decided to take it upon himself to pull his team out of a tough situation. He got the ball on the wing and buried a jump shot over Grant Hill and Channing Frye to give the Lakers a 101-96 lead with under two minutes left. Then, with 35.2 remaining, Bryant put the game away when he drove past the Suns bench, rose up over Hill and swished a fadeaway shot from about 22 feet to make it 107-100. Ballgame!

“I’m not sure if those are shooters’ shots. Those are scorers’ [shots]. You know, best-player-in-the-game type shots,” Steve Nash said of Bryant’s fourth-quarter baskets with a high degree of difficulty. “He is incredibly skilled and talented, and he’s a great competitor – and clutch. He deserves an incredible amount of praise.”

Bryant finished with a game-high 37 points – his 10th 30-point game in his last 11 playoff games. He now has 75 30-point games in his playoff career, tying him with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Michael Jordan holds the record with 109 30-point games.

“Just had to keep attacking, trying to stay aggressive,” he said. “They had help coming from the weakside, with traps and things like that, and made it difficult for me to get to the basket. So, I just had to create a little bit of space and raise up. It looks like a tougher shot than it actually is. I got a good look, got my legs underneath me and was able to knock it down.”

Gentry got a great view of Bryant’s ridiculous fall-away shot over Hill, who played it about as well as any player could defend it. Unfortunately, Bryant was just too good.

“After I knocked down the shot, I just heard him mutter something like ‘That’s BS!’ Something to that effect. It just made me smile. I just padded them on the butt,” Bryant said of his sideline encounter with Gentry.

“I mean, what can you say about Kobe?” Gentry asked.

“There’s an intense game going on and you almost have to laugh at what he does,” Gentry said while shrugging his shoulders. “I thought we played great defense on him and he just made tough shot, after tough shot. I thought Grant was going to block his shot. You realize that was a fall-away 3-pointer with a hand in your face, off-balance. That’s who he is.”

When asked what he told Bryant as he fell back into the Suns bench after swishing the game-clinching shot over Hill, Gentry said: “I said ‘Good defense’ to Grant and [Kobe] said ‘Not good enough.’ ”

Kobe was just too good.

Video courtesy of NBA.com

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The Lakers held Amare Stoudemire to 7-for-20 shooting in Game 6. (NBAE/GETTY IMAGES)

In what may have been his final game in a Phoenix Suns uniform, Amare Stoudemire walked off the court disappointed.

Although Stoudemire scored a team-high 27 points in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, the Suns’ All-Star center didn’t have the type of game worthy of a maximum contract this summer. He struggled from the field (7 for 20), grabbed just four rebounds and, more importantly, his team lost in six games and is now out of the 2010 NBA playoffs.

Stoudemire can opt out of his contract on July 1 and become an unrestricted free agent. He is among an elite class of potential free agents – LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh heading the list – who could change the landscape of the league.

But Suns All-Star point guard Steve Nash, Stoudemire’s teammate in Phoenix for the past six seasons, told reporters on Saturday night just minutes after Phoenix was eliminated by the L.A. Lakers in Game 6 that he prefers the Suns to stay intact, and that includes re-signing Stoudemire.

“I feel a great source of pride for me to be able to play with these guys, ” said Nash, who scored 21 points and had nine assists in a losing effort. “They’re such great people, great teammates that have committed absolutely to what we’re trying to do. We’re a good team. We had a real legitimate chance to beat the Lakers and get to The Finals and play for a championship.

“It’s pretty clear I’d like to keep the group together. I’d like to keep it together and keep it going.”

Suns coach Alvin Gentry and Steve Nash enjoyed a solid season, but fell short of reaching the NBA Finals. (NBAE/GETTY IMAGES)

During his postgame news conference following the loss to the Lakers, Nash also endorsed Alvin Gentry as the right coach to lead the Suns to a championship.

Nash may be the face of the franchise and the two-time league MVP, but it’s Stoudemire’s presence in the middle and his ability to finish at the rim off pick-and-rolls are what separates the Suns from becoming the Golden State Warriors. Stoudemire and Nash form the NBA’s best pick-and-roll combo in the league, and it would be difficult for Phoenix to find a suitable replacement.

Stoudemire has repeated all throughout the playoffs that there’s a 50-50 chance he’ll be back in Phoenix, the only franchise he has played for in his eight-year NBA career. He upgraded it to a “good possibility” that he’ll return to the Suns after the Game 6 loss, but it may depend on how much the Suns are willing to pay him and for how long.

“There are so many ways to structure a deal and what have you, but it’s very important to have a sense of security,” Stoudemire told The Arizona Republic.

Stoudemire has one year left on his current deal that pays him $17.68 million. He admitted that all the trade rumors the past two years have really bothered him and could ultimately be the reason why he leaves. But Stoudemire also said that his relationship with Suns management greatly improved after he was not dealt last February.

Expect Stoudemire to test the free-agent market this summer as he waits for the Suns to make him an offer he can’t refuse. In the end, Suns owner Robert Sarver may have to overpay his already overpaid superstar in order for the Suns to keep their title hopes alive.

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Phil Jackson loves to play mind games with the opposition.

The first jab of the 2010 Western Conference finals was thrown by Lakers coach Phil Jackson when he said Steve Nash, Phoenix’s All-Star point guard, is tough to guard when he is allowed to carry the ball.

When asked what a chore it would be for his team to contain Nash and simulate what he does in practice, Jackson joked with reporters and said, “Yeah, because you can’t carry the ball like he does in practice. You can’t put that ball up and run with it.

Jackson is well known for this kind of gamesmanship. He made a similar remark prior to the start of the Lakers’ first-round series against Oklahoma City when he highlighted that Kevin Durant gets a lot of favorable calls from officials.

The little verbal potshot may have worked on the 21-year-old Durant, who was visibly upset by Jackson’s claim, but the 36-year-old Nash has been in way too many of these playoff battles to be suckered into a war of words. And he certainly knows how to handle the Zen Master’s mind games.

“I mean the best coach in the league, Gregg Popovich, didn’t have a problem with it last week,” said Nash.

Pau Gasol and the Lakers will have their hands full against the crafty Steve Nash.

Though both teams have a lot of respect from one another, there is a little bitterness in terms of recent playoff history between the two Pacific Division rivals. This is the third playoff meeting between Phoenix and L.A. since 2006, and the Lakers have a score to settle with the Suns since they were the last Western Conference team to knock out the defending NBA champs.

The Suns are coming off an impressive four-game sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, while the Lakers recently beat up the Utah Jazz in four convincing games.

Nash and Amare Stoudemire are playing at a high level in the playoffs, but so are Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant.

“They’re a great combo. Their two-man, screen-roll situations are phenomenal. We think that we have a good combination in Pau and Kobe, and we’re going to try and match that,” said Jackson.

During the regular season, the Lakers defeated the Suns three out of four times and had a seven-point average margin of victory. The Suns bench, which was key in the Spurs’ series, played a big part in Phoenix’s lone victory over the Lakers on Dec. 28. The Suns bench outscored the Lakers bench, 52-31, and 44 of them came from Jared Dudley (19), Goran Dragic (14) and Leandro Barbosa (11). One footnote from that game was that Ron Artest, the Lakers’ best defender, did not play because of a concussion.

Artest will likely guard Suns shooting Jason Richardson, who struggled mightily against the Lakers this season. He averaged just 8.7 points in four games and made just three of 21 3-point shots.

The Suns will need their bench, as well as Channing Frye, to play at a high level against the Lakers because depth is the only real advantage for the Suns in this series.

“It’s a challenge that we should look forward to,” said Suns coach Alvin Gentry, who was an assistant with Mike D’Antoni in 2007 and 2006 when the Suns bounced the Lakers from the postseason. “We’ve earned the right to play [the Lakers]. Nobody gave it to us, we’ve earned the right to play them.”

Video courtesy of NBA.com

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Like two prize fighters who just went toe-to-toe for four brutal rounds, Manu Ginobili and Steve Nash shook hands at midcourt and congratulated each other.

Ginobili and his broken nose then left the court and headed for the offseason because his San Antonio Spurs were knocked out of the 2010 playoffs by the Phoenix Suns, led by Nash and his one good eye.

Nash had six stitches above the right eye after getting caught with an inadvertent Tim Duncan elbow in the second half, but the Suns’ leader returned to the court and scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including a running one-hander in the paint to put the Suns ahead, 103-97, with 29.9 seconds left.

“I couldn’t be happier for a class, class, class guy. I hate him, but he’s classy,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Nash, who admitted he could barely see with his bandaged right eye.

Manu Ginobili congratulates Steve Nash after the Suns knocked off the Spurs in four games. (NBAE/GETTY IMAGES)

“I can’t really see out of it,” Nash said. “I don’t want to glorify it, but it’s been a long time since we beat this team and advanced in the playoffs, and I tried to do what I could to close it out.”

The Spurs have tormented the Suns in their past five playoff appearances, eliminating Phoenix four times. But the Suns made sure this year was different, beating San Antonio at its own game with solid defense and an efficient halfcourt offense that is normally a staple of the Spurs.

“They just hit a lot of big shots,” said Ginobili, who had 15 points but was just 2-for-11 from the field thanks to excellent defense from Grant Hill. Ginobili said the nose injury didn’t bother him in the series, but it was obvious his aggressive and his forays to the basket decreased since he got hit by Dirk Nowitzki in the first round.

“I just think where Steve [Nash] has taken us and what he’s been able to get done, it started in training camp. He was just determined that ‘we’re gonna get back to where we were and I’m gonna see that.’ ”

Like a one-eye jack in those classic pirate movies, Nash spearheaded a poised Phoenix team down the stretch. And he didn’t need to see Amare Stoudemire on those pick-and-rolls because the two All-Stars know each other so well they could probably run their pick-and-roll sets with their eyes closed. In Nash’s case, he really had to do it with his eyes closed because his right eye was so swollen he needed a cutman on the bench.

“I can’t really see out of it,” Nash said. “I don’t know how it didn’t keep me on the sidelines. I wanted to give it a try, and luckily it worked out.”

“They just outplayed us,” said a dejected Tim Duncan, who got outscored by Stoudemire, 29-17, in Game 4.

The Suns’ four-game sweep clearly signaled that the Spurs’ three-time championship trio of Duncan, Ginobili and Tony Parker can no longer carry the load. Duncan is 34 years old and has a ton of mileage on his legs. Ginobili, 33, recently signed an extension that should keep him a Spur for the rest of his NBA career, but he has been injury prone and the same goes for Parker.

The Richard Jefferson experiment didn’t work out for San Antonio, so Popovich must find another scorer (or two) to help his big three.

Video courtesy of NBA.com

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The Phoenix Suns made two very powerful statements in Game 2 of their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series against the San Antonio Spurs.

First, the Suns wore their “Los Suns” jerseys on Cinco de Mayo to show their support for the Hispanic community of Arizona, a strong political message from a NBA franchise that is in the middle of a controversial immigration issue.

Second, after winning Game 2, 110-102, the Suns jumped to a 2-0 series lead and sent a loud message to the Spurs – a team that has eliminated the Suns four times in five years – that they are determined to break the San Antonio spell and finally win a series against their playoff nemesis.

The first message was a public display of discontent with Arizona’s immigration bill, while the other was more unspoken. Either way, both were delivered with force and the Suns are not backing down from either stance.

In late April, the state of Arizona passed a sweeping immigration bill authorizing police officers to stop suspected illegal immigrants and demand proof of citizenship.

The law has sparked a national uproar, with politicians, pundits and citizens weighing in – including Suns All-Star and former two-time league MVP Steve Nash.

Steve Nash is defended by Tony Parker during Game 2 of the Suns-Spurs series. Nash scored 19 points and had six assists to lead Phoenix to a 2-0 series lead. (NBAE/GETTY IMAGES)

“I’ll speak for myself. Our team was proud to wear the jerseys because we feel a sense of pride in our Latino community,” said Steve Nash, who along with Suns owner Robert Sarver have publicly questioned the new immigration bill.

In a statement, Sarver said: “The frustration with the federal government’s failure to deal with the issue of illegal immigration resulted in passage of a flawed state law. However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question, and Arizona’s already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them.”

It was Sarver’s idea to have his team wear the “Los Suns” jerseys for Game 2 and he got the blessing from the NBA and the Players’ Association, and the Suns players were willing participants.

“Our Latino community is what makes this state great because it gives us a diversity and a lifestyle that is great. It’s important that we stand up sometimes for what we believe in,” Nash told reporters during a postgame news conference. “I don’t want to alienate anybody. Those people that disagree with me is fine. Discourse is what democracy is made on, and I think that it’s not something [people] should take personally.

“My beliefs, our team stood up for that part of our community because I think that’s the one targeted by this side of this bill that could open the door to racial profiling and racism. And I’m talking primarily about American citizens who are Latino. Now their quality of life and freedoms could change because of this bill. I think it also puts undo pressure on police officers, and unrealistic expectations.”

Nash added: “Having said that, the bill is continually changing and it seems it will continue to change. So, it’s impossible to have a stance. I’m proud of our owner for taking a stand, but we are not out there to alienate. We all want this to be about loving of our community. Regardless if people agree with us or not, we have love for everybody out there. We just like to get to a consensus that everyone can live with and it isn’t a possible infringement on human rights.”

Video courtesy of NBA.com

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LeBron James has failed twice in the NBA Finals. (GETTY IMAGES)

LeBron James collected his second regular season most valuable player trophy in 2010, becoming the 10th player in NBA history to claim back-to-back MVPs. However, the key words there are REGULAR and SEASON. Legends are born in the playoffs, and James knows that in order to wear the crown of the king he must be fitted with a championship ring.

Since 1956 when the first NBA MVP award was handed out, two players who won the MVP award finished their pro careers without winning a championship and four are still in pursuit of that elusive chip. LeBron is currently a member of this dubious ringless fraternity.

Here are the six NBA players with regular-season MVPs, but don’t own a championship ring:

Charles Barkley (MVP in 1993)
Sir Charles captured the MVP during the 1992-93 season and led the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals that season. But Barkley’s Suns ended up losing to Michael Jordan’s Bulls in the ’93 Finals, and Barkley never got back to The Finals. Barkley finished his career with 23,000 points and 12,000 rebounds. He has said that not winning a NBA title shouldn’t define his career, but you know deep down Sir Charles would give up all those points and rebounds for one ring.

Karl Malone (MVP in 1997 and 1999)
With the help of his good friend John Stockton, The Mailman delivered two MVPs to the Utah Jazz. Unfortunately, Stockton and Malone couldn’t deliver a title to Utah. Malone led the Jazz to appearances in the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, but both times his teams lost to Jordan’s Bulls. Then, in 2004, Malone joined Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with the L.A. Lakers hoping to make one final push for a ring. But Malone fell short again in The Finals, losing to the Detroit Pistons in five games. Malone finished his career as the second-leading scorer in history (36,928), and will go down in history as one of the greatest power forwards to ever play.

Allen Iverson (MVP in 2001)
When we’re talking about Iverson, we’re talking about the best little man in basketball. AI answered the call several times throughout his 13-year career, putting together a MVP season in 2001 and leading the Sixers to the NBA Finals. But Iverson ran into Goliath in the form of Shaq and the Lakers, and the Sixers were defeated in five games. After stints in Detroit, Denver and Memphis (extremely short stint there), Iverson rejoined the Sixers but did not finish the season. He took his talents to Turkey, but now he’s itching to get back in the NBA. In a recent interview with SLAM Magazine, Iverson said: “I want to finish my career out in the NBA, if that’s possible.”

Steve Nash (MVP in 2005 and 2006)
Nash is the only two-time MVP winner not to reach The Finals. He captured his first regular season MVP in 2005, leading the Suns to the NBA’s best record, but the San Antonio Spurs bounced Nash and the Suns in the Western Conference finals. Then, in 2006, Nash won his second MVP but was eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks led by his good friend Dirk Nowitzki, who removed himself from the ringless fraternity in 2011. Voters made a huge mistake by giving Nash the MVP in 2006. Nash didn’t deserve to win it over Kobe Bryant, who had one of the best statistical seasons that year and should have won MVP.

Derrick Rose (MVP in 2011)
It’s almost unfair to put Rose on this list because he’s only 22 years old. But, the fact of the matter is, D-Rose has an MVP trophy sitting at his home but doesn’t own an championship ring nor has he set foot in the NBA Finals. The Chicago Bulls have a very nice nucleus and Rose is only going to get better. Also, head coach Tom Thibodeau is one of best defensive minds in the game, so the Bulls will always be competitive.

LeBron James (MVP in 2009 and 2010)
LeBron is one of four players on this list who can still change their fate. The very reason why LeBron left Cleveland for Miami is because he believed he had a better shot at winning a title if he was surrounded with better players, and they don’t come any better than Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. But the storybook ending didn’t happen in 2011, as Nowitzki and the Mavericks outlasted James and the Heat in the six games and now LeBron will have to hear those echoes of doubt all over again in the offseason. And it probably will never go away until he wins that elusive championship ring. LeBron certainly didn’t help his cause by playing so poorly in 2011 Finals, especially in the fourth quarter in which he looked incredibly passive. The longer James goes without a title, the pressure will only get worse.

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After tugging a 7-foot-1, 330-pound weight on their shoulders the past two seasons, the Phoenix Suns appear to have shed the Shaqles and are back to being the run-and-shoot squad that averaged 58 wins the previous four seasons.

The cast of characters remain with one minor addition (Channing Frye) and one major subtraction (Shaquille O’Neal). But make no mistake about it, Alvin Gentry’s Suns are looking more and more like Mike D’Antoni’s Suns.

Reinstalling D’Antoni’s free-wheeling offense was the best coaching move Gentry made when he took over for Terry Porter halfway through the 2008-09 season. The Suns averaged 117.7 points per game after the All-Star break and, though the team missed the playoffs, won six out of their last eight games.

Steve Nash leads the NBA in assists at 11.5 and is making 44% of his threes.

This season, the Suns have picked up where they left off last spring as Steve Nash and Co. have a league-best 109 scoring average (tied with Denver) and a league-best 49% shooting percentage. The red-hot shooting has translated into a fast start as the Suns are well ahead of last year’s pace and in second place behind the West-leading Lakers in the Pacific Division.

Earlier in the season, the Suns concluded an East Coast-trip that saw them go 4-1. The road trip was highlighted by a 110-103 win at Boston and a 119-115 win at Philadelphia, a game where Nash scored 21 points and dished out 20 assists.

The 35-year-old Nash owns a NBA-best 11.5 assists per game and is making 52% of his field goals and 44% of his threes, all above his career averages.

As good as Nash has been in terms of shooting the ball, his statistics pale in comparison to teammate Jason Richardson, who is making 50% his field goals and 44% of his 3-pointers.

Most observers thought Amare Stoudemire would benefit the most from O’Neal’s departure, but obviously it’s Richardson who has really prospered. With Shaq no longer a hindrance on offense, the Suns have been able to fully utilize Richardson’s skills.

Richardson, who along with Jared Dudley, came to Phoenix as part of a four-player deal that sent Boris Diaw and Raja Bell to Charlotte last year. Richardson said it took him a full season to get acclimated to his third NBA team, but now he feels more comfortable with his role in the system.

“They need me to step up scoring a little, and I’m being more aggressive,” Richardson told the Arizona Republic.

Frye was Phoenix’s “minor” offseason acquisition. It’s a minor transaction compared to the big splashes made by the Celtics, Lakers and Cavaliers.

But the 26-year-old former University of Arizona star has been bargain, a move that cost Phoenix just a little more than $2 million for two years. A career 8.4 scorer with New York and Portland, Frye is averaging close to 14 points a game and has already made 25 3-pointers, which is somewhat shocking considering the 6-11 center made just 20 3-point shots in his previous four seasons.

Frye’s new-found long-range game has afforded the Suns to field a starting five who can all face up and make jump shots. This creates more room for Nash and Stoudemire to run their pick-and-roll offense.

The Suns may not be able to chase down the L.A. Lakers in the Pacific Division, but they’ll make a strong case for a playoff berth.

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Time and age have finally caught up with Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns (GETTY IMAGES)

Not even Daylight Savings Time can save the Phoenix Suns. The clock has expired on Steve Nash and his Suns are no longer viable contenders for an NBA championship this season, or any other season. Their window of opportunity is complete shut and not even the herculian hands of Shaquille O’Neal and Amare Stoudemire can pry it open.

Father Time has caught up with Nash. He’ll be 34 in February and does not have the same burst he once had to dribble past defenders and his once-potent shot is beginning to come up short. His defense, not a known strength by any means, has gotten worse. He allows more and more guards to blow past him like a turnstile at Disneyland. But the most alarming deficiency is his increasing penchant to turn the ball over. His decision-making is questionable at best and he longer commands the same type of attention from opposing defenses. Steve Nash has become a poor man’s Steve Blake!

I have never been a big fan of Nash’s game. He could never get the Dallas Mavericks past the conference finals in 2003 and he failed twice to lead the Suns past the conference finals in 2005 and 2006. It was an absolute travesty that he won a second regular-season MVP award in 2006. That was was the same season Kobe Bryant averaged 35 points a game and scored 81 POINTS against the Toronto Raptors in what proved to be the defining moment of the season. Nash is the only two-time MVP winner never to play in the NBA Finals. At least his BFF, Dirk Nowitzki, got a sniff of the Finals in 2006.

Most so-called basketball experts reasoned that they voted for Nash as MVP because of how he “made his teammates better.” If that was the definitive criteria then John Stockton should have won MVP multiple times during the 1990s. A good point guard is supposed to make his teammates better. A PG handles the ball 80% of the time and initiates the offense. If we start handing MVPs to point guards, then John Stockton should have won it every year.

At his peak, Nash was a good-to-above-average point guard. He’s an All-Star player, no doubt, and will go down in NBA history as the best player to come out of Canada. Of course it’s easy to be Canada’s No. 1 baller when the competition includes Leo Rautins and Bill Wennington. All kidding aside, I consider Nash as one of the 10 best PGs in the Association. But the best PG? I rate Tony Parker and Chauncey Billups ahead of him. Now that he’s on the down side of his career, Nash’s chances of winning a championship ring are slim and none. The only way he becomes an NBA champion is if he latches onto a contender.

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Chris Paul (left) and Steve Nash have been overtaken by a raging Bull in the race for the best point guard in the NBA. (Getty Images)

For someone who plays very little defense and makes crucial mistakes in late-game situations, Steve Nash is still rated very high among his peers. He was twice voted league MVP despite not making it to the NBA Finals. He’s the only two-time MVP without a Finals appearance. Even softy Dirk Nowitzki made it to the Finals twice. For some reason, the Nash hype machine spread like wildfire during his first three seasons in Phoenix. Now, Nash is being exposed for what he truly is. A very good point guard, but not a top-five point guard.

OneManFastbreak.net publisher and editor Joel Huerto rates the top points guards in the NBA:

1) DERRICK ROSE, Chicago Bulls: D-Rose became a star during the first round of the 2009 NBA playoffs in an epic series against the Boston Celtics and his career has been on a fast track to Springfield. In his first NBA postseason game, Rose scored 36 points at the new Boston Garden. Rose combines great handles and amazing body control with a fearless attitude. He has improved his midrange game and 3-point shot the last two seasons, and his hard work was rewarded when he was named the league’s MVP in 2011. Rose and Russell Westbrook are the best end-to-end PGs in the Association, but few can match Rose’s uncanny ability to maneuver around a defense en route to the basket.

The sky is the limit for Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Derrick Rose.

2) CHRIS PAUL, Los Angeles Clippers: Remember Chris Paul? Some analysts were quick to dismiss him as the top playmaker in the Association because he missed so much time with a knee injury. But when healthy, CP3 is an absolute witch with the basketball. He is capable of posting a 20-5-11-2 stat line, and has the ability to change the game by himself. CP3 has his sights set on a dominant 2011-12 season with his new team to prove to everyone that he is STILL one of the best PGs in the NBA.

3) DERON WILLIAMS, New Jersey Nets: D-Will is Jason Kidd with range. Williams can play fast or slow, and can be a playmaker or a scorer. D-Will has the entire package. He can drive, he can hit the 3 and get his teammates easy shots. And he’s built like a tank. He’s one of the few PGs who can score 20 points and get 10 assists. The only knock on Williams – and the same can be said about CP3 – is that he hasn’t been able to lift his teams past the conference semifinals.

4) RUSSELL WESTBROOK, Oklahoma City Thunder: Westbrook’s coming out party occurred in the 2010 NBA playoffs when he lit up the L.A. Lakers in the first round. Westbrook is one of the best finishers in the league and attacks the rim like a wing player. The scary part about Westbrook – a former UCLA standout – is that he’s still learning his position. And his stint with Team USA during its gold-medal run in Turkey can only help his growth as a player.

5) RAJON RONDO, Boston Celtics: The 6-1 guard from Kentucky was arguably the Celtics’ best player during the 2010 NBA playoffs, and has turned the Celtics’ Big Three into the Fantastic Four. Rondo is a unique point guard because he rebounds extremely well and has an array of circus shots when he gets close to the basket. He’s also one of the best off-the-ball defenders in the league, leading the league in steals in 2009-10.

Young point guards Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose will have plenty of head-to-head battles for years to come. (GETTY IMAGES)

6) TONY PARKER, San Antonio Spurs: In the last 20 years, only two point guards have been named the MVP of the NBA Finals: Chauncey Billups and Tony Parker. Parker, the MVP of the 2007 Finals, consistently puts up outstanding offensive numbers, and is the only point guard on this list that shoots over 50% from the field. Few can match Parker’s speed, and the Spurs guard was one of the first players to use the floater as a main weapon.

7) STEVE NASH, Phoenix Suns: Some would say this list is “whack” for having the great Steve Nash No. 6. Well, the Great Nash is very good but not great. He’s a bit overrated. He’s a liability on defense and, for someone who is considered by many as the smartest point guard in the league, he makes a lot of mistakes in crucial situations.

8) BRANDON JENNINGS, Milwaukee Bucks: When you can put 55 points on the board as a rookie, you are big time. Jennings exploded onto the scene with a fantastic first season (15.5 points and 5.7 assists in 82 games), and he could have easily won Rookie of the Year if it weren’t for a historic season from Tyreke Evans. Jennings did have the last laugh over all his rookie peers as he led his team into the 2009-10 playoffs. The sky is the limit for this young Buck.

9) JASON KIDD, Dallas Mavericks: Kidd may be the oldest guy on this list, but he certainly isn’t ready to collect his 4o1K plan. The 37-year-old veteran shot 42% from the field in 2009-10, only the third time in his illustrious career he’s hit that mark. Kidd remains one of the best start-fillers in the league, averaging 10 points, nine assists and close to six rebounds. He may not defend like he used to, but he’s definitely not a liability on defense.

10) STEPHEN CURRY, Golden State Warriors: During the second half of his rookie campaign, Curry began to really establish himself as one of the best point guards in the league. He greatly improved his playmaking skills once he got comfortable with Golden State’s guard-friendly offense. Curry is a classic sniper, capable of scoring from anywhere on the court. When he steps off the team bus, he’s open!

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